“Then, you didn’t arrange that incident?” she pressed to Chad. “You said you wanted me to meet someone important and ‘stun’ him.”
“No, I didn’t. I wanted you to meet that client of ours who wants the jungle effect for his restaurant. We were going to discuss business over dinner. He had to leave London, so there wasn’t another opportunity for you to meet him before sailing. I didn’t know Jace was in London, and he was a fool to take such a risk.”
“But you told me you believe he’s innocent.”
“What difference does it make? He can’t prove it.”
“Thanks to someone’s clever frame,” Jace sneered.
Chad ignored Jace’s last words. “I heard about your misfortune with the coffee crop,” he said, “so I know you must need money. Why don’t you accept my offer? I didn’t arrange your meeting with Leigh in London. I didn’t know you were around, and I didn’t know about Hanes’s accident until we got here. I was hoping you’d agree after meeting my niece. This adventure was planned for her enjoyment.”
“Laura Leigh is your niece? She doesn’t favor Fiona, so I guess that means your father had a bastard child hidden away who died and left you the responsibility of Laura.” To her, he scolded, “You said Chadwick Hamilton is your guardian, but you never mentioned he’s your uncle. Which Leigh was your father? Did we know him, Chad?”
She realized Jace didn’t know who she was. She recalled that night on the dock which explained why he had kept calling her “Laura” or “Miss Leigh.” It also put a new light on his earlier words and behavior …
When she held silent and pensive, Chad inquired, “Didn’t you tell him your name in London?”
“She gave her name as Laura Leigh. I didn’t give mine. You know how it is, Chad—see but don’t be seen.”
He comprehended Jace’s astonishment at learning whom he had rescued.But,my friend,you’re in for an even bigger surprise.“Allow me to make the proper introductions. This is my ward and step-niece, Laura Leigh Webster, William’s granddaughter from America.” Leaving that stunning news to sink in, Chad turned from Jace and said to Leigh, “You know by now this is Jace Elliott, the Great White Hunter and best guide in Africa. And we need him to take Jim Hanes’s place.”
Jace stared at the beautiful woman, who now seemed nervous. “You’re a Webster? Why didn’t you tell me?” That cast a new light on matters, one he liked even less. It vexed Jace to learn she had Webster blood and to recall she was traveling with this flirtatious scoundrel. “So, you two are family.”
Chad grinned at Jace’s reaction. “By marriage only.”
“If she’s a Webster, how can she be your ward?”
“I’m Leigh’s guardian until she reaches twenty-one in November,” the raven-haired man revealed. “She arrived in February after William’s death in December. She inherited Webster International and his estate.”
Jace couldn’t conceal his surprise and interest. Lord Salisbury hadn’t cabled this news to him, but he knew why: his friend didn’t want him getting desperate and daring. It was obvious now why the Webster home had been closed up and empty. “The old man is dead?”
Chad replied, “Yes. I’m surprised you didn’t learn about it when you were in London recently. Leigh is William’s only blood heir. I thought this trip would do us both good before we settle down to business. Leigh and I haven’t seen each other for a few years, so it seemed an excellent way to get reacquainted without a lot of distractions. Don’t you agree?”
Jace didn’t like the fact they were old friends … and family. Maybe she was a better actress than he had feared, or maybe Chad had worked his potent charms on her. But what did they want from him? If their meeting had truly been an accident but Leigh had recognized him and told Chad of his presence, perhaps they had lured him out of London on purpose. Perhaps Chad had feared what he would uncover there. Perhaps he had come to end their war. No, he had to be wrong about Leigh; her behavior was convincing. If anything, Chad was using her.
“Why not let bygones be bygones, Jace? Take the job. We need a guide and you need the money. It’s a good deal for all of us.”
All three mused in silence for a time. Jace’s spirit was troubled. Lord Salisbury had left town immediately following the party, so they hadn’t gotten to talk. He had hoped Webster would be with Hamilton. He knew how greedy both men were. A savage hunt was exactly what those two men would enjoy! Now, with Webster dead, all he could do was work on Chad to obtain the evidence he needed to clear himself.
Jace had been lying in wait for them. When they were late arriving in Africa, he had worried they had changed their minds or lied about their safari. Then the railroad had asked him to guide a work party to their next site. Since he’d used the new train to cover most of the trip out and back, it hadn’t taken long. He had planned to track them through the jungle and to find a way to join their group, but Jim’s accident had worked in his favor. If indeed, Jace silently scoffed, Jimdidhave a broken leg. That was something he needed to check on. He didn’t like surprises, and he was getting plenty.
Jace wondered if Chad was hoping he’d fall for Leigh, trail her to London, and get captured and hanged. Jace also wondered how much Leigh knew about him and his past with Chad, and why she hadn’t told him her last name that night. Upon reflection, he grasped how the oversight had occurred and never been corrected.
He pondered the situation. Now that Leigh Webster owned everything, including the holdings cleverly stolen from his father, where did that leave Chad and Fiona? Would Chad and his mother inherit it all if anything happened to Leigh, especially while in Jace Elliott’s care? If so, Chad could get rid of both of them while in Africa. That speculation disturbed and angered Jace. If Leigh’s innocence was genuine and there was a lethal plot against her, the blonde would be safer in his care while he exposed and defeated it than she would be if he refused and they returned to London.
Jace continued to sort pieces to this puzzle. There was another road Chad could travel: marry Leigh and take everything. Jace had witnessed how his enemy watched the girl, so why bring a mistress along to mess up his seduction? Unless the redhead was a decoy to fool Leigh or to distract him. Chad had a special reason for bringing Leigh Webster here and for throwing all of them together. Jace was going, but he couldn’t appear eager to do so. He had to let Chadconvincehim.
Leigh was trying to decide why these men hated each other, and why they would even consider working together. Male pride? Revenge? A challenge to prove who was the better man? Why hadn’t Chad told her more about Jace? And, why would Chad risk having the resentful and intimidating man around them? Was her guardian trying to discover how much Jace knew about the Webster/Elliott connection and will? How strange that her rescuer was Jace Elliott of all men! The best part was that he hadn’t known who she is until tonight.
As for Chad, he was delighted to have his plans proceeding perfectly. He didn’t like the fact that Jace and Leigh had met in London, but Leigh would never be attracted to a criminal. And Jace, Jace would view and treat her as William’s blood, as kin of the man who had taken everything from him. No, he decided, he didn’t have to worry about anything romantic or intrusive happening between those two.
“Well?” Chad broke the heavy silence. “Don’t be stubborn and foolish, Jace. I’m willing to pay twice what you normally receive so this trip won’t be wasted. Even if we wait around for another guide, we could be in danger out there with a less qualified man. I’m responsible for Leigh, and I don’t want anything happening to her. Take the job.”
“It would never work, Chad. I’d be the absolute authority out there, and you couldn’t stand that. There are rules and regulations to cover sporting licenses, and you can be reckless and impulsive. The IBEA Company has laws governing the protection of animals in the Serengeti district, and that’s where we’d head first. They regulate the use and possession of all firearms. They don’t allow any skin, rhino horn, or ivory hunters; or permit natives to hunt during closed seasons; or allow sportsmen to take more game than the license permits. There’s no wanton shooting from boats; or shooting female animals, especially with young; or excessive killing just to get the best trophies. If you break the laws here, you can be arrested and fined, and your guide can lose his license. As I recall, you’ve never been one to like or obey rules.”
“I read the laws and regulations posted at the Colonial Office. I promise we won’t break any of them, and you’ll be in full control. That little accident that got your nose broken wasn’t entirely my fault. If there’s one thing you know about me, it’s that I keep my word.”
Jace recalled Chad’s “word” in ‘92 vowing revenge: “One day when you least expect it, old friend, I’ll make you pay for what you did to me in South Africa, and pay dearly.” Chad had kept that dark promise. But, Jace mused, was the unwarranted revenge completed? He doubted it, and shook his head as if refusing the man’s job offer. He knew Chad wouldn’t give up easily. “Forget it, Chad. I’m going home in a few days, as soon as I finish some business with Alfred.”